From the Couch - Amy Carmichael

One of the things I'm doing these days is reading a book by Elisabeth Elliott called "A chance to die." It is about the life of a missionary named Amy Carmichael. It's very neat/challenging to read. Here is an excerpt that I read today. It's written during her first boat ride to Japan where she started her work in missions.

"She wrote to the Keswick friends that she was "peacefully miserable," that is seasick. She paraphrased a hymn: "Peace, perfect peace, though seasick we can sing, For even so we are beneath His wing."

That helped me to see that though we are currently experiencing a type of "sea sickness" that we can still sing praises to Him because we know and trust we are under His wing. That is good news!

From the Couch - helpless and rallying

One of the harder parts of being on bed rest is that I am pretty helpless. From making coffee to helping with the boys I do not have any way to offer my assistance. We have had LOTS of help from my mom and friends which has been a great thing, especially for Matt who is doing most everything these days. BUT, it's still hard. It's hard to hear/watch Baxter have a fit or be sad and not really be able to help. It's hard to watch someone else get you carrot sticks for snack. It's hard to watch someone else take your son to the bathroom.

I need how to appreciate God's care and God's provision instead of just wish that I could be the one doing these things. To see the vast number of ways He is providing for me and for my husband and our boys. And to see that it's worth it. I COULD make coffee, but it's best for my little girl if I don't. I COULD do a lot of other things, but it just isn't worth the risk. What I need to be concerned about is protecting and nourishing our little girl.

Our pastor encouraged Matt with the truth that a family rallies around the "weakest" member of the family in times of struggle. Right now, our "weakest" member is our little girl, and we all need to rally around her! My rallying needs to be from a reclined/trusting/patient/hopeful position on the couch. Matt's rallying is from a busy/cooking/disciplining/trusting/hopeful position at home and church. The boys rallying is a patient/brave/flexible heart in the midst of everything.

(As a side note, God has waited until now to make our dear Owen a brave boy. This week he ate: sweet potato pie, chicken bbq, and chicken cordon blue with out much of an argument. He also went with a friend to a birthday party today without either of us. 2 months ago he would not have done any of that! Thank you God for your timing with our sweet boy!)

From the Couch - an outing!

So I got to leave the house today for the first time in a week. It was nice, but very exhausting. I was actually glad to be back on the couch when we got home! Strange!

My outing was to my doctor and to Walgreen's for a flu shot. The doctor said that we were doing the right thing by being so conservative with the bed rest. She said to "stay the course." We will have another ultra sound at 27 or 28 weeks and that will help us know how to proceed from there. Most likely we're on bed rest until delivery on or before 37 weeks. She also helped us know what it's so important to keep this little girl in my tummy as long as we can which helps me know why I am sitting still all day. I am thankful to have more of an idea of the importance of this and another appointment to look forward to. And the flu shot will help me and baby girl which is great.

Matt was feeling a little "direction-less" this afternoon. Nothing needed to get done and so much could be done, but the boys show was almost ending. He was reminded and reminded me that we always have a direction. Wether or not we are sitting on the couch or at work or loving our kids or whatever we are doing. Our direction is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. That brings life and importance and focus to anything we do. What a helpful reminder as I continue on this journey.

As a side note, I also learned how to knit today! Many of you know my mom is an AMAZING knitter (is that what you call it?!), and she gave me a lesson today. Project #1, a wash cloth for baby girl made out of a sweet pink and white yarn. I'll have to post pictures when I'm done with it. If anyone has an easy pattern, please pass it on!

From the Couch - sweet snuggles

One sweet thing that has happened since I have been put on bed rest is the opportunity to have some sweet snuggles with my boys. A friend had mentioned that this would be a great time for that, and I hadn't really thought it would happen since they boys were a bit off the first few days. Last night and this morning I had some really sweet times with Owen.

Last night we snuggled on the couch while Matt put Baxter to sleep. Owen had his arm around my shoulders/neck and we watched some Seeds Family Worship videos about casting your cares on the Lord and not being anxious about anything. It was a blessing to me in many ways!

Then this morning, he sat real close and READ TO ME (mostly) "Fox in Socks" by Dr. Seuss. It was a delight!

So today I'm thankful for those times even though I wish I could be out picking up the van from the shop with my family. Glad God gives us those things to hang on to in the midst of the storm!

Before the couch

Here are some pictures of apple picking and the boys first days of school...life BFORE the couch.

From the Couch

Well, it's been quite a week here in the Purdy house. On Monday at lunch I started bleeding a lot. We freaked out. We jumped in the car with the boys and drove (like a race car according to owen) to the doctor's office. Found out pretty soon that the baby is ok and that I have a "full" placenta previa. They admitted me for 24 hours to monitor me and the baby. Since I am not in preterm labor and the bleeding stopped, they let me come home. I am on bed rest for an indefinite amount of time. They will deliver at 36 or 37 week by c-section if we make it that long. If I have another bleeding episode that doesn't stop then they will need to deliver then.

So. That is a lot to take in, isn't it? I have to say that peace was very present the first day. Now it's harder. It's hard to sit on the couch all day long and watch Matt and my parents(boy am I thankful for them!) wrangle the boys and do the dishes and fold the laundry and clean up poop from Baxter's room after rest time, ETC. It's hard to feel fine but still have to sit still. You can pray for me to have patience and endurance for what could be 12 1/2 more weeks of this. You can pray that I'd see what I"m doing as very important for our baby girl's health and for my health. You can pray that Matt would have everything he needs to be a daddy/husband/pastor. It's a lot for him!! You can pray for the boys as they come to grips with the limits of having a mommy on bed rest.

Most of all, you can pray that I'd believe that God is good and that He loves me and that He has ordained these days for our good and His glory. That alone will carry us through!

I hope to post thoughts from the couch as time goes on.

The Clothesline sale

Here are some great finds from shopping a great kids sale in Richmond today (it's on all weekend...www.theclothesline.biz). I was trying to send pics to my mom, and it wasn't working, so now everyone can see them. Notice also that Baxter is officially in the middle child club (he'll need to talk to his Uncle Brett)...I only bought things for O and baby girl. Sorry B, we love you greatly and there are some awesome hand me downs coming your way.

Son House 2010

This weekend, I got to spend 24 hours with ALL eight of the Son House ladies for the first time since my baby shower in 2005 for Owen! Most of us have gotten together yearly or a couple of times a year, but this was the first time we were all there. It was especially sweet to see Jane who lives in Prague with her husband and two little girls serving with Young Life.

Here is our group shot - three of the eight kiddos are present.



Here is a shot that re-enacts one that we took on graduation day 8 years ago. Just a few things have changed!